Information for veterinary nurses

Introduction

Whenever concerns are raised with us about a registered veterinary nurse (RVN), it is our responsibility to investigate those concerns, and to take further action if we consider them to have any substance.

If concerns are raised with us about you, we appreciate that it can be a very worrying time. The following information outlines our process for dealing with concerns, to give you an idea of what to expect, and answers some of the immediate questions you might have.

How does the investigation process work?

A Case Manager will be assigned to your case from our Professional Conduct team and will contact you by telephone to advise you of the concerns that have been raised. The Case Manager will also notify your employer.

You might be reassured to know that only around 20% of all concerns raised with us are progressed beyond stage one, for further consideration by the Registered Veterinary Nurse Preliminary Investigation Committee (RVNPIC), and that only a small percentage of those reach stage three – a formal Registered Veterinary Nurse Disciplinary Committee (RVNDC) hearing.

What types of concerns can the RCVS deal with?

We can only deal with the most serious concerns – those that will affect fitness to practise, ie your right to work as a veterinary nurse.

This will involve behaviour that has fallen far short of what is expected of a veterinary nurse and would include, for example:

How do you obtain information?

We need to gather all the information necessary so that the Case Examiners Group can make a decision. This may include:

more information from the person who has raised concerns

information from others at your practice, eg your colleagues; and,

information from anyone else who may have witnessed or have knowledge about the incidents raised.

The Case manager may seek information over the telephone, in writing or in meetings.

As we aim to deal with matters as promptly and efficiently as possible, we may consider that your case is one where it would be appropriate to seek information from you over the telephone.

However, you must feel comfortable with providing information in this way, so, if you have any reservations about any aspect of the process, please ask for advice either from your professional indemnity insurers or a legal adviser if you have one.

Please remember that the Case Manager will stop the conversation if they consider that you should speak to an adviser before giving us any further information, for example, because they think that you have admitted, or may admit, to conduct which could affect your fitness to practise, ie serious professional misconduct. To avoid misunderstandings we record telephone conversations*.

If you prefer to respond in writing, or if at any stage we ask you to write to us, we require a response as soon as possible, and certainly within ten days. This will help us to deal with the matter promptly.

What information do I need to supply?

A common dilemma when responding to concerns is how much detail to include.

You should aim to cover all matters referred to in the ‘Raising concerns about a veterinary nurse’ form, or the areas highlighted by your Case Manager.

If you consider that there is material that may be helpful, although it is not directly relevant, please indicate the nature of it in your response, or make the Case Manager aware of it. We will request copies if we think it necessary.

Copies of any information you provide may be sent to the person who raised the concerns for them to comment on what you have said, and will also be used to help make decisions at any stage of the investigation.

Can I see previous decisions?

Concerns raised with us are confidential unless and until they reach the final stage of our investigation process and are referred to the RVNDC for a (usually) public hearing.

The RVNDC’s charges, findings and decisions and judgments over the past three years are available here.

How long does it take to reach a decision about a concern?

All cases are different, and we tailor our investigations to the nature of the concerns raised, thereby ensuring that a decision can be made as appropriately and speedily as possible. However, the following guideline may be helpful:

Stage 1 (Assessment and investigation) – completed within three months of the concerns first being raised with us.

Stage 2 (RVN Preliminary Investigation Committee) – completed within nine months of the concern first being raised with us.

Stage 3 (RVN Disciplinary Committee) – hearings scheduled and held within 12 months of the concern first being raised with us.

Will you keep me informed about progress?

Yes. You will receive regular updates from your Case Manager, whom you may contact at any time during normal office hours if you need any information or have any uncertainties.

I am unhappy with your decision, what can I do?

We aim to give you a proper explanation and reasons for the decisions we make.

If, however, you are unhappy with a decision, you should first contact your Case Manager for further explanation.

After doing this, if you remain unhappy, you should write to the Head of Professional Conduct and the Chairman of the RVN Preliminary Investigation Committee to request they consider your concerns.

You will need to state the reasons for your request, as well as detailing any new or relevant information. If you are dissatisfied with their response, you will need to consider whether to pursue your concerns through the courts by seeking a judicial review of our decision

If you have any queries about our investigation process, please contact your Case Manager.

Advice on how to respond may be provided by your professional indemnity insurer.

I’m worried about the case against me – who else can I talk to?

We understand that having concerns raised about you can be very worrying. Please consider seeking help and advice from others, for example: